Cruising Spain and Portugal - Lisbon to Malaga

Days

8

Price from

$3,028CAD

Discover Spain and Portugal from a different perspective, cruising around the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula on a small ship adventure

The south of Portugal and Spain sail somewhat under the radar in comparison to their northern brethren. Board the elegant Panorama II and experience the glories of their southern coast – fascinating cities, culture-filled small towns, and the chance to slip off the boat’s swimming platform into welcoming waters. Casting off from the cosmopolitan capital of Lisbon, take the chance to explore atmospheric medieval citadels from a base at Portimao. Then voyage on to Cadiz, starting point for trips to joyous Seville – striking for its flamboyance, flamenco and monuments – and Jerez de la Frontera, a place to soak in traditional Moorish architecture and sip sherry. Continue to the famous ‘Rock’ of Gibraltar, then choose an excursion to Ronda in the Andalucían hills, where a spectacular bridge gaps a town-splitting gorge. Take the chance to explore Granada, filled with Moorish architecture, tapas bars and natural beauty, then dock in Malaga. Offering the flexibility of a day spent exploring the culture and history of a stop or simply soaking up the sun with a book on the upper deck, this adventure cruise is a unique way to experience the Iberian lifestyle.

Cruising Spain and Portugal - Lisbon to Malaga

Discover Spain and Portugal from a different perspective, cruising around the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula on a small ship adventure

The south of Portugal and Spain sail somewhat under the radar in comparison to their northern brethren. Board the elegant Panorama II and experience the glories of their southern coast – fascinating cities, culture-filled small towns, and the chance to slip off the boat’s swimming platform into welcoming waters. Casting off from the cosmopolitan capital of Lisbon, take the chance to explore atmospheric medieval citadels from a base at Portimao. Then voyage on to Cadiz, starting point for trips to joyous Seville – striking for its flamboyance, flamenco and monuments – and Jerez de la Frontera, a place to soak in traditional Moorish architecture and sip sherry. Continue to the famous ‘Rock’ of Gibraltar, then choose an excursion to Ronda in the Andalucían hills, where a spectacular bridge gaps a town-splitting gorge. Take the chance to explore Granada, filled with Moorish architecture, tapas bars and natural beauty, then dock in Malaga. Offering the flexibility of a day spent exploring the culture and history of a stop or simply soaking up the sun with a book on the upper deck, this adventure cruise is a unique way to experience the Iberian lifestyle.

Why we love this trip

If you’re concerned about long days at sea, this is the tour for you: we’ve broken up the itinerary with plenty of optional shore excursions like Silves, Monchique and the Moorish gem, Jerez de La Frontera.

While bigger cruise liners have to moor out at sea and commute into shore via tender, we’ll drop anchor in the middle of Lisbon’s historic city centre. You can hop on or off the boat as you please.

This trip includes a guided visit to the ‘Rock’ of Gibraltar. You’ll catch a cable car to the top of the old English colony, and see the Barbary Apes running wild at the Middle Station.

This itinerary includes an optional day tour inland to Seville, one of our favourite cities in Europe. You’ll see the Cathedral, Alcazar Palace (and its famous Andalusian gardens), plus the shady lakes of Maria Luia Park.

Our small ship means we can drop anchor in secluded bays between Portimao, Cadiz and Motril and swim right off the back of the boat.

Is this trip right for you?

This is a small ship adventure cruise, which means you’ll be sailing on a yacht with between 30 – 50 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but it focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wifi is available for a small charge.

Our ship moves under engine power, rather than sailing, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

This itinerary does feature a few long driving days, and plenty of on-shore walking and exploring. It’s still accessible for anyone with basic fitness, but it is a little more active than our other cruise itineraries.

If you’re concerned about seasickness, there are seasickness tablets on-board. The ship will experience some roll and pitch in choppy conditions, however all of our ships come equipped with stabilisers to minimise movement. Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. Your crew do all they can to minimise any discomfort.

There are no lifts (elevators) on-board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs on-board. Handrails are always available.

Meals Included

Our half day excursion will take us to Silves, largely destroyed by a 17th century earthquake. Marvel at the centuries-old Moorish castle complex with an underground water reservoir, a 13th Century Cathedral built by Alfonso X of Castile on the site of a former Mosque and a fine strong 15th century bridge over the Rio Arade. During your visit to Silves, you'll also have time to browse the historic exhibits at the Museu Arqueológico. We leave Silves visit and travel into the Serra de Monchique to reach the picturesque city of Monchique nested between two hills. The city retains its 16th century charm and you will walk through its cobbled streets with small doorways housing various artisan trades. There is a 17th~Century Franciscan monastery overlooking the town and a 16th Century Parish Church decorated with hand-crafted blue ceramic tiles. We return to Portimao for a late lunch. Afternoon optional walking excursion in Portimao town or time free for shopping for bathing at the local beach. Afternoon sailing to Cadiz. Overnight at sea to Cadiz

Optional Activities

1/2 day Silves & Monchique tour - EUR45

Meals Included

This morning we leave port to drive in land for our full day optional excursion to Seville, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe , where Moorish and Spanish art and culture have left their mark. Our optional excursion will bring you to the Cathedral, the Alcazar Palace and its Andalusian gardens, the Maria Luisa Park and the quaint and elegant district of Santa Cruz. Late in the evening we return to Cadiz. Overnight in port

Optional Activities

Seville Full Day Tour - EUR156

Meals Included

Morning optional full day excursion to Jerez de la Frontera, famous for its wines, horse breeding and flamenco Your tour will enable you to see the Alcazar, the cathedral and a “ganadería”, where bulls are raised to take part in bull fighting., very much part of Spanish culture. After lunch on board, Back on board for lunch followed by an optional guided tour of Cadiz and Sanlucar de Barrameda. We begin with a guided visit of Cadiz; with its white and blue buildings and its rich historic and cultural wealth. Later we will reach the area of Sanlucar de Barrameda and visit a wine cellar renowned for its production of “Manzanilla”. Late afternoon return to ship. Overnight at sea to Gibraltar

Optional Activities

Jerez and Hacienda Fuente Ray tour - EUR105

Meals Included

Morning arrival in Gibraltar. Optional half day excursion in the “ Rock” . We reach the Cable Car Base Station. which will take us to the Top Station perched on the summit of Gibraltar for a breathtaking view as you are suspended in mid-air. At the Top Station your guide will show you around the geography of this British colony. Then you will travel to the Middle Station and the sanctuary of Gibraltar’s older inhabitants, the Barbary Apes, roaming free around this station. Return to your coach for a 5-minute drive to Princess Caroline’s Battery and the entrance to the Great Siege Tunnels, a system of tunnels carved out of solid limestone. Proceed to the Gibraltar Museum with its enormous amount of artifacts on display. You will have the option to return to your yacht or stay in town and make your own arrangements for returning to the yacht. Overnight in port

Optional Activities

Gibraltar - The Rock and WWII Tunnels tour - EUR58

Meals Included

Early morning arrival in Porto Banus. Our optional full day excursion to Ronda, 50 km inland a city which retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town and the nearby 18th century Puente Nuevo. Ronda is also famous as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, today glimpsed once a year at the spectacular Feria Goyesca. Plaza de Toros is now a museum, and visitors can stroll out into the arena. Our full day optional excursion will include visits to the an elegant cloistered 16th century convent and old Ronda, La Ciudad, with its cobbled streets hemmed by handsome town mansions, some still occupied by Ronda's titled families such as the Casa de Don Bosco. We will walk to the leafy Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, which boasts a convent, two churches, including the toy town bell tower of the iglesia Santa Maria de Mayor. We return to port and there is time to visit trendy Marbella. Overnight at sea to Motril, Spain for Granada.

Optional Activities

Full day Ronda Tour - EUR134

Meals Included

Morning arrival in Motril. Optional full day excursion to Granada, one of the most fascinating cities in Europe and the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492. We will visit one of the most brilliant jewels of universal architecture is the Alhambra, a series of palaces and gardens built under the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th C. We will also visit the Cathedral with its Royal Chapel where Isabel and Ferdinand lie buried, the Monastery of La Cartuja and many churches built by Moorish craftsmen after the Reconquest, in Granada's unique "mudéjar" style. In the afternoon we leave Granada to return to Motril. Overnight at sea to Malaga

Optional Activities

Meals Included

Disembarkation will take place after breakfast this morning. Make your way to the airport for your onward travels or stay on to enjoy the delights of the region.

Meals Included

Breakfast

Included Activities

Meals

7 breakfasts,
6 lunches,
7 dinners

Transport

Small Cruise Ship

Accommodation

Small Cruise Ship 7 nights

Meals

7 breakfasts,
6 lunches,
7 dinners

Transport

Small Cruise Ship

Accommodation

Small Cruise Ship 7 nights

Days

8

Price from

$3,028CAD

Discover Spain and Portugal from a different perspective, cruising around the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula on a small ship adventure

The south of Portugal and Spain sail somewhat under the radar in comparison to their northern brethren. Board the elegant Panorama II and experience the glories of their southern coast – fascinating cities, culture-filled small towns, and the chance to slip off the boat’s swimming platform into welcoming waters. Casting off from the cosmopolitan capital of Lisbon, take the chance to explore atmospheric medieval citadels from a base at Portimao. Then voyage on to Cadiz, starting point for trips to joyous Seville – striking for its flamboyance, flamenco and monuments – and Jerez de la Frontera, a place to soak in traditional Moorish architecture and sip sherry. Continue to the famous ‘Rock’ of Gibraltar, then choose an excursion to Ronda in the Andalucían hills, where a spectacular bridge gaps a town-splitting gorge. Take the chance to explore Granada, filled with Moorish architecture, tapas bars and natural beauty, then dock in Malaga. Offering the flexibility of a day spent exploring the culture and history of a stop or simply soaking up the sun with a book on the upper deck, this adventure cruise is a unique way to experience the Iberian lifestyle.

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Important notes

Your voyage is operated by our partner company, Variety Cruises.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
On this itinerary, shore excursions are optional and are paid on board the ship in Euro’s. The price and a description of these excursions are listed in the day to day itinerary.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Adventure Cruising trips have a deposit of A$600 per person (different amounts apply in other currencies) and the balance is due 90 days before departure.
SINGLE TRAVELLERS
It is not possible to share with a stranger on a Variety Cruises voyage and single travellers must pay the Single Occupancy rate.
MINIMUM AGE
Children from the age of 7 can be accommodated on these voyages. Each boat has one cabin category that will accommodate a 3rd person allowing for triple sharing. Any child under the age of 18 must share with an adult.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.